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Misery

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Misery (1990)

90%
86%
94%
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90 %
Reviews Counted: 48 Fresh: 43  Rotten:5 Average Rating: 7.2/10
 
Consensus: Elevated by standout performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates, this taut and frightening film is one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

Synopsis: Romance author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) longs for parting with Misery. Sheldon's plucky heroine of seven novels has delivered Sheldon fame and fortune and recognition beyond the average writer's dreams, but she is also interminably linked to him. Determined to escape an eternal role as... Romance author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) longs for parting with Misery. Sheldon's plucky heroine of seven novels has delivered Sheldon fame and fortune and recognition beyond the average writer's dreams, but she is also interminably linked to him. Determined to escape an eternal role as dimestore novelist, he kills her off in the eighth novel and heads to his New England cabin to work on his own Great American Novel. Upon completion, Sheldon excitedly sets out for his New York City publisher in the midst of a raging blizzard and within minutes veers into a desolate snowbank. From the brink of death, he is rescued from the snow by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who just so happens to be Misery's self-professed biggest fan. At first, she nurses him back to health in her remote cabin, telling him the roads and phones are knocked out by the storm, fawning over his literary accomplishments. However, things change when she purchases his eighth Misery book and reaches the point of Misery's death. Annie's psychotic underbelly swiftly surfaces as the unfortunate author is held clandestinely captive in her home. Meanwhile, a wily small-town sheriff (Richard Farnsworth) circles in.... Director Rob Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King's novel is an eerie tale of obsessiveness and isolation. The film features an excellent turn by Caan and an Oscar-winning performance by Bates. [More]

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Starring: Kathy Bates, James Caan, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen, Lauren Bacall

Director: Rob Reiner
Screenwriter: William Goldman

DVD Info

Release:

Feb 10, 2007

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital Surround - Spanish
  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English, French
  • Subtitles - English, Spanish - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentaries - 1. Rob Reiner - Director
  • 2. William Goldman - Screenwriter
  • Featurettes - 1. "Misery Loves Company"
  • 2. "Marc Shaiman's Musical Misery Tour"
  • 3. "Diagnosing Annie Wilkes"
  • 4. "Advice for the Stalked"
  • 5. "Profile of a Stalker"
  • 6. "Celebrity Stalkers"
  • 7. "Anti-Stalking Laws"
  • Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
  • 2. Original Theatrical Teaser

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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Ratings Image
N/A

The dark duet between Paul and the frankly psychopathic Annie is played to tense perfection.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/25/07
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

From start to harrowing finish, it is blissfully apparent that Rob Reiner can indeed turn his hand to virtually anything.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/25/07
Philip Thomas
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Reiner captures just the right level of physical tension, but for the most part wisely emphasises the mental duels. Terrific.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
10/15/03
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Ratings Image
4/5

Where it is significantly elevated is in the terrifyingly convincing performance by Bates as a schizophrenic psychopath.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Almar Haflidason
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
B+

Except for the flat, compromised ending, Reiner's smooth direction and Goldman's nicely structured script make this version of King's novella enjoyable as a horror flick and psychological thriller, not to mention Kathy Bates' superb turn as the wacko fan

Full Review | comment Comment
10/08/07
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
3/4

Director Rob Reiner is clearly more comfortable with the humor and humanity than the gory horror in King's grisly tale.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/25/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Bates has a field day with her role, creating a quirky, memorable object of hate.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/25/07
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

A skillfully pared-down (if psychologically thin) horror thriller.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/25/07
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Ratings Image
3/4

Rob Reiner builds Stephen King's tale with clean, effortless strokes.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/30/07
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
Ratings Image
4/5

Sweat-inducing suspense thriller.

comment Comment
10/05/06
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Ratings Image
9/10

It's a definite KEEPER!!

Full Review | comment Comment
06/02/06
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium
Ratings Image
5/5

Superb!

comment Comment
11/17/05
S. James Wegg
JWR
Ratings Image
5/5

Horrifying tale with deserved Oscar performance by Kathy Bates.

comment Comment
10/14/05
Steve Crum
Video-Reviewmaster.com
Ratings Image
4/5

A first-rate suspense film with excellent performances.

comment Comment
10/08/05
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/29/05
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)
Ratings Image
3/5

Not as good as the book, but Kathy Bates is perfect

comment Comment
05/28/05
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times
Ratings Image
4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/27/05
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/15/05
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat
Ratings Image
2/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/03/05
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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Around the Network

• Misery at Rotten Tomatoes
• Misery at IGN
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